Guided tours in Varanasi

Guide in Varanasi, Pintu Biki

My name is Pintu Biki, and I was born in Varanasi. I’m 33 years old, and I’ve been working as a freelance tour guide in this city, the heart of Hindu culture, for over 12 years. Varanasi holds no secrets for me. With me, you can visit everything from the most popular tourist spots to the city’s hidden gems, each with its own special charm.

I speak English and Hindi, and I’m currently studying Spanish, which I’m trying to improve every day. I’ve worked with various travel agencies and have experience booking hotels and flights, train and bus tickets, as well as advising you on the must-see places in India.

I have traveled throughout almost all of India, from North to South and from East to West, so I can offer you first-hand information about the most recommended places to visit during your tour.

GUIDED TOURS I OFFER IN VARANASI

1) Walking tour of the old area of ​​Varanasi

We’ll visit a traditional gymnasium, or Akhara , which still uses ancient training methods, and the vegetable market in the old city. We’ll also enjoy a cup of masala tea while learning about the applications of aromatherapy and essential oils . We’ll stop at some of the city’s important temples, such as the Golden Temple , the most important for Hindus; the Nepali Temple , with its carvings depicting scenes from the Kama Sutra; the Temple of Hanuman , the monkey god; and other fascinating temples in Varanasi. We’ll also stroll along the two ghats where Hindu cremations take place ( Manikarnika Ghat and Raja Harishchandra Ghat ), as well as Kedar Ghat , the second most important for pilgrims to take ritual baths. Finally, we’ll visit some of the 270 workshops where Varanasi’s famous silk fabrics , among the finest in all of India, are woven on handlooms following Mughal designs. And, of course, if you fancy a delicious lassi in a clay cup, we’ll stop at one of the best places in town.

2) Visit to the temples of Varanasi

We will visit the Durga Temple, one of Varanasi’s most famous temples. The temple is lavishly decorated with sandstone bas-reliefs and situated next to a pond called Durga Kund . It attracts numerous tourists and pilgrims every day. We will also visit the Tulsi Manas Temple , built of white marble and adorned with many colorful statues of the gods. Although many consider it a kitschy nativity scene, it is very popular with Hindus. The Tridev Temple features modern architecture, with beautifully decorated marble ceilings and floors; it is dedicated to three deities: Salasar Hanuman, Rani Sati Dadi, and Khatu Shyam. The Sankat Mochan Temple (the liberator from all troubles) is dedicated to the monkey god Hanuman and was built in the 18th century. It is teeming with macaque monkeys, but unfortunately, photography is not permitted. Next, we’ll visit Varanasi Hindu University , which recently celebrated its 100th anniversary. Some 30,000 students study there, specializing in fields such as technology, medicine, environmental science, and art, as well as Ayurveda and Sanskrit . Finally, we’ll explore the New Temple of Kashi Vishwanath , located on the university grounds. Its most striking feature is its 77-meter-high marble tower, the tallest temple tower in the world.

3) Visit Ramnagar by car

Ramanagar is located about 14 km from the center of Varanasi, on the other side of the Ganges River. The highlight of Ramanagar is its fort , built in the mid-18th century in the Mughal style, which is still the residence of the Maharaja of Kashi (the former name of Varanasi). Inside, a museum (called Saraswati Bhawan ) houses artifacts ranging from antique American cars, palanquins, and medieval clothing to artistic objects made of gold, silver, ivory, and weapons from various countries. About 2 km from the fort, across the Ganges River, is Varanasi Hindu University , where we will visit the Bharat Kala Bhawan Museum, with over 100,000 artistic and archaeological objects, including paintings, textiles, decorative arts, and even philatelic collections. We will also visit the Bharat Mata temple (the temple of “Mother India”), which, instead of statues of Hindu deities, features a map of India before its division, sculpted in marble. It is the only temple in the world dedicated to Mother India.

4) Visit Sarnath by vehicle (rickshaw or car).

Sarnath receives thousands of Buddhist pilgrims annually from all over the world, as it is one of the four holy cities of Buddhism. Here, Buddha gave his first sermon to his five disciples after having previously attained enlightenment in Bogdaya. Sarnath is about 13 km from Varanasi, but it takes about 40 minutes to reach it from the city center. Once in Sarnath, you can visit the Buddha Temple at the entrance to the complex, with frescoes on its walls depicting the life of Buddha. There are other temples, such as the Japanese Temple and the Chinese Temple , built with contributions from pilgrims of those nationalities. But undoubtedly, the largest monument in Sarnath is the Dhamekh Stupa , an imposing structure 40 meters high and 30 meters in diameter. It is believed to be located on the very spot where Buddha gave his first discourse. Also worth visiting is the Ashoka Pillar , erected in the 3rd century BC to commemorate the visit that this emperor made to Sarnath. Only a fragment remains, and its capital, housed in the Sarnath Museum, features four stone-carved lions and is considered a symbol of India. Therefore, we will also visit the Sarnath Museum to see this capital, as well as the more than 6,500 sculptures and artifacts unearthed during the excavations. We will also visit the Chaukhandi Stupa , with its circular base and octagonal tower, all constructed of baked bricks. We will pass by a massive Buddha statue and stroll through Deer Park , as legend has it that when Buddha spoke to his disciples, many deer were also present, listening. The park is home to numerous deer that will come to eat from your hand. Finally, we will visit the 19th-century Jain Temple , a popular pilgrimage site for Jains. This is a perfect day trip if you are in Varanasi, offering a respite from the city’s hustle and bustle in a natural setting steeped in history.

5) Boat trip on the Ganges River at dawn

Without a doubt, one of the most magical moments in Varanasi will be taking a boat trip on the Ganges at sunrise . We’ll have to get up quite early, but we’ll forget all about sleep as we gaze upon the ghats in the early morning, when the city awakens and numerous Hindu devotees descend to the river for their ritual baths. On the ghats, we’ll see people meditating and practicing yoga, either in groups or alone. Undoubtedly, the view of Varanasi from the river will be etched in our hearts.

6) Boat trip on the Ganges River at sunset

In the late afternoon, the Aarti ceremony takes place at Dashashwamedh Ghat , the city’s main ghat. Watching it from the steps is a must, but the perspective from the Ganges River is entirely different. That’s why many pilgrims prefer to take a boat and follow it from the river, which is what we’ll do after a boat ride past some of the other ghats.

OTHER SERVICES I CAN HELP YOU WITH

• Flight booking.
• Hotel Reservations.
• Purchase of train and bus tickets.
• Taxi booking.
• Airport or train and bus station pickup.
• Shopping assistance.

CUSTOM TOURS

If you would like to visit a special place off the beaten tourist track, or if you would like to take a tour of another city in India, please feel free to ask me for information.